Tax Increase Proposed For Some In Morristown School Budget For 2023-24

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morris School District Board of Education presented its proposed school budget for 2023-24 last week, which includes a tax increase for residents.

The proposed preliminary budget of $152,250,450 increases the property tax levy by two percent, district officials said.

Morristown taxpayers will see a slight drop in the school portion of their property tax bill, while Morris Township homeowners will see a property tax increase.

In Morristown, homeowners can expect a $3.02 decrease in taxes per month, for an overall $36.23 reduction for the year.

In Morris Township, homeowners will see a $13.73 tax increase per month for a total addition of $164.70 per year for the average homeowner.

Almost 67 percent of funding comes from the local tax levy, with 17 percent coming from the state and federal governments.

Instructional costs account for 81.5 percent of the budget, while facilities take up 9.8 percent, school administration accounts for 3.8 percent and business is 2.1 percent.

A number of maintenance projects were also discussed at the board meeting, including replacing doors and AC units throughout the district, refinishing the gym floor and repainting the school lockers, replacing fencing and updating the playgrounds.

A $9.4 million state grant will allow the Morris School District to continue and develop its free preschool program. The district has reserved 681 seats for 3- and 4-year-old children from all socioeconomic backgrounds for the coming school year.

The free program is supported by a state grant and local taxes.

Under Gov. Phil Murphy's 2023–24 budget, the Morris School District received $9,133,936 in state funding, which represents an increase of 13.63 percent from what it received in 2022-23.

The preliminary budget will now be submitted to the county office for approval. A public hearing and vote on the final budget is scheduled for April 24.